Seasonal Allergies

Seasonal allergies, also known as “hay fever,” affects almost 50 million people in the United States alone.

What are seasonal allergies?

Seasonal allergies (also called “hay fever”) are certain conditions that trigger an allergic response. People who have seasonal allergies usually have an allergic reaction when they come in contact with pollen from certain trees, grasses, weeds, and/or mold spores. Most people can be around these substances; however, people who have seasonal allergies often have symptoms which can last most of the spring and summer months. Some people suffer from allergies in the fall months too.

Who gets seasonal allergies?

Anyone, no matter their gender, race, and age, or where they live can have seasonal allergies. These conditions often run in families so it is likely that you know someone else who is close to you that has similar symptoms. Symptoms often start when a person is a child or young adult and can last a lifetime; however, symptoms usually get better with time.

What are the symptoms of seasonal allergies?

The most common symptoms of seasonal allergies are: stuffy and/or runny nose, itchy eyes, coughing or sneezing, mild sore or scratchy throat, and itchy ears. If you have asthma, it may be triggered by seasonal allergies.

What causes seasonal allergies?

Allergies happen when a person’s immune system, which normally fights infection and keeps you healthy, reacts to something(s) in the environment as a threat to the body. When this happens, it triggers an immune response.

When do people get seasonal allergies?

People who have seasonal allergies most often complain of symptoms in the spring and summer months; however, symptoms may also occur in the fall or winter months, depending on where you live. 

How can I tell if I have a cold or if I have allergies?

Sometimes it may be hard to tell if you have a cold or whether your symptoms are caused by an allergy. However, if you have a sore throat, body aches, and/or a fever along with coughing and sneezing, it is more likely that you have a cold or the flu or COVID-19. If your symptoms don’t get better or you have a fever of 101 or higher and/or feel short of breath, you should call your healthcare provider right away.

What are some ways to treat my seasonal allergy symptoms?

Seasonal allergy symptoms may be treated with one or more treatments such as simple nose rinses, over-the-counter medicine, and prescription medicine and/or allergy shots or pills. Ask your health care provider which treatment(s) is best for you.

• Nose rinses and nose sprays: Your health care provider may suggest cleaning the inside of your nose with salt water. Cleaned water with added salt is placed in one nostril. As the water flows out through your other nostril (opening on the other side of your nose) so does any pollen or irritants. Ask your HCP if a nasal rinse would be helpful and if so, how to do it. If your nose is very irritated from seasonal allergies, your HCP may prescribe a steroid nose spray. Steriod nasal sprays usually help with seasonal allergy symptoms, but they can take a few days or even a week before they start to work.

• Antihistamines: The most common type of medicine to treat seasonal allergies are called antihistamines, and they may be taken as a pill, liquid, eye drop, or nasal spray. Common oral (taken by mouth) antihistamines are Zyrtec® (cetirizine), Claritin® (loratadine), and Benadryl® (diphenhydramine). These medicines are used to treat general allergy symptoms, whereas eye drops and nasal sprays will give you “local” relief (just to your eyes or nose). Antihistamines are available over the counter, but also in prescription-strength doses. Some antihistamines such as diphenhydramine cause drowsiness (make you feel tired) and should only be taken at night. Check with your health care provider to find out which antihistamine is best for you since some can interact with other medicines that you might be taking.
• Allergy shots: Allergy shots are also called “immunotherapy.” If prescription medicine doesn’t improve your symptoms, after a while, your health care provider may have you see an “allergist” (a doctor who specializes in taking care of people with all kinds of allergies). Your allergist may suggest allergy shots. This is a long-term treatment that involves getting weekly or monthly allergy shots. This treatment can take up to many months or even a year to see results.
• SLIT: SLIT stands for “Sublingual Immunotherapy” which is the newest alternative to allergy shots. SLIT is a pill that is made up of “extracts” of what a person is allergic to, which is similar to allergy shots. The pill is placed under a person’s tongue. After a couple of minutes, the person swallows the pill. SLIT must be prescribed by an allergist only after allergy testing is done.

Can I prevent allergy symptoms?

You may be able to prevent or at least lessen allergy symptoms if you know which pollens you are allergic to. Check the pollen count and avoid spending a long time outside or having windows open when these counts are high (you can check the local pollen count online or in a newspaper). Shower and wash your hair (to rinse off pollen) after spending a lot of time outside. If possible, use an air conditioner and/or air purifier and keep windows closed, especially at night while you’re sleeping.

What if I have severe allergy symptoms?

Ask your health care provider if you should start your medicine about 2 weeks before you usually get seasonal allergy symptoms.

Our health guides are developed through a systematic, rigorous process to ensure accuracy, reliability, and trustworthiness. Written and reviewed by experienced healthcare clinicians from Boston Children's Hospital, a Harvard Medical School teaching hospital and consistently ranked as a top hospital by Newsweek and U.S. News & World Report, these guides combine clinical expertise, specialized knowledge, and evidence-based medicine. We also incorporate research and best practices from authoritative sources such as the CDC, NIH, PubMed, top medical journals, and UpToDate.com. Clinical specialists and subject matter experts review and edit each guide, reinforcing our commitment to high-quality, factual, scientifically accurate health information for young people.